Armed man disrupts Gastonia traffic

Steady traffic on a Gastonia road was briefly interrupted Thursday afternoon when police say a man wandered onto the street and pointed a gun toward drivers.

Willie Amzi Rouse parked his vehicle on the intersection of the I-85 off ramp and North New Hope Road just after 3 p.m., arrest warrants show. The 19-year-old Charlotte man then allegedly brandished a black and silver pellet gun, aiming his weapon at drivers on New Hope Road and "totally disrupting the traffic on this very busy road," according to Gastonia Police.

Rouse is charged with misdemeanor counts of going armed to the terror of the people and assault by pointing a gun.

He was booked into the Gaston County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond, which he posted about an hour after his arrest.